Agitator.



W. LINDSAY.

AGITATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 050.26, 1916.

Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

WILLIAM LINDSAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AGITATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 26, 1916. Serial No. 138,946;

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM LINDSAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Agitators, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

forming a part of this specification, in which corresponding numerals of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap and effective means for producing a rapid vibratory, oscillatory g'yratory, seismic or other disturbing or shaking movement or agitation so as to enable said movement to be imparted with a minimum expenditure of power to any structure or container or to the contents thereof whether composed of loose particles or of varymg mixtures of solids or liquids or both, for the purpose of sifting, agitating, trituratrng, mixing, grinding, abrading or impartmg intermittent movement to structures, vessels or materials requiring mechanical agitation, and that in such a manner as to approach as nearly as possible, what may be termed harmonic rhythm, or in other words, so that the rhythm of the prime-mover may harmonize with that of the mass to be agitated so that conflicting or incomplete vibrations requiring an excess of power to overcome, may be avoided ;all of which is hereinafter more particularly described and definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1, is an elevation partly in central vertical section of a device for grinding or surfacing glass or other plates by means of attrition or abrasion, my improved agitator being shown in operative connection therewith,

Fig. 2, is an enlarged central vertical sectional view of a portion of said agitator showing a revoluble weight arranged to be rotated by the motor shaft,

Fig. 3, is a view of a modification, showing, partly in elevation and partly in sec tion, a sifting device having my improvement applied thereto,

Fig. 4, is a vertical sectional view of a liquid container showing the agitator susQ pended therein for agitating the liquid contents as a result of its vibration,

Fig. 5, is a diagrammatic view in plan of a sifter or other similar container showing the character of the movement imparted to loose particles placed therein,

Fig. 6 is a central section of a casing and weight showing a modified means for limiting the centrifugal path of the weight, and

Fig. 7, is a vertical section of a portion of the casing represented in Fig. 2, showing a modified means for limiting the centrifugal movement of the weight.

Referring to the drawings, 1, Fig. 1, indicates generally a receptacle for the reception of a glass, metal or other plate 2, with sand 01' other suitable abrading material 3, and liquid, adapted to impart a ground or mat surface to the plate as a result of the movement thereover and in contact therewith of the loose abrading material when the container is agitated. The container is suspended in a horizontal position by means of cords, chains or rods 4, so as toenable it to be freely moved in a horizontal plane. Rigidly attached to the bottom of the suspended receptacle is an electric motor 5, of any well known construction, in operative connection with a source of electric energy 6. Extending above the motor casing proper, with which it may be integral or to which it may be attached, is a hollow cylindrical casing 7, an enlarged view of which is shown in Fig. 2. vThe armature or motor shaft 8, which is concentric with said casing, is extended upwardly therein and provided with suitable bearings 9; Rigidly attached to said shaft are arms 10, having slots 11, Fig. 2, therein into which is journaled a shaft 12 of a cylindrical weight 13 which is free to roll against the inner wall of the cylindrical shell 7, when the motor shaft is rotated. The purpose of the slots 11 is to provide for the free movement of the rolling weight without causing any lateral stress upon the motor shaft. When the shaft is driven at a high speed the weight rotating in an orbit around it which is limited by contact with the periphery of the drum or cylinder 7, serves to impart a rapid Patented 0ct.'9, I917.

gyrating or oscillatory movement to the suspended receptacle to which it is attached, around the'axial center of said receptacle, the extent of eccentricity of which will be proportionate to the relative quantity of the of the eccentric, weight,

mass, the gravity the extent of its orbit and the speed at which the shaft is driven. I have found abrasive and liquid in conjunction with has a curved in the glass to impart a ground surface,thereto, as illustrated in Fig. 1, a very rapid and uniform movement will be imparted to the abrasive material and that in a manner to impart a most pleasing effect to the surface treated.

It will be noted that the direction of r0- tation of the weight 13 will be opposite to that of the shaft 8,-and that all the stress of its eccentric motion will be borne by the cylinder 7 In Fig. 3 I have shown a modified form of agitator preferably recommended for use in connection with screens or sieves. In the example shown, 5 indicates an electric motor like that shown in Fig. 1, with the lead-wires omitted, and 7, the cylindrical casing above it. A short motor shaft 14,

arm. 15, rigidly attached thereto and extending laterally therefrom. Said arm is forked or slotted similarly to the arms 10, Fig. 2, to receive the lower end ofa suspending member 16, or shaft, the upper end of which member 17, by means of a universal joint 18. The cylinder 7, which. is closed at the top, is attached to a spider 19, forming a part of a main frame 20, formed for the reception and support of a removable sieve frame 21, having the usual sieve bottom 22, therein. The frame 20 is provided with a bail 23, adapted to be loosely suspended from a single support 24. A weight 25, preferably form of a ball or sphere','is loosely mounted upon the suspending element 16, so

as to rotate thereon. The slotted arm 15, is-

of such a length as to permit the ball '25 to roll in a fixed orbit limited by the inner surface of the casing. I have found in gyratory movement of slight arc practice that a highly effective agitating action may be imparted to a relatively large sieve, with a very light weight and a small motor. The sieve is caused to take a general and great around a common center. This rapidity is illustrated diagrammatically movement and 4.

is supported in a hearing in Fig. 5. I By placing a sheet of i 0. er 26,

over the sieve 22 and laying a weig t oosely thereon at the center provided with a spring pressed pencil to mark its movements and then starting the motor, the weight. was

found to move'for an instant around a common center at 27 and then to move radially toward the periphery describing in its general course a series of loop-like ospillations, as shown at 28.

In Fig. 4 the agitator is shown as a closed of the motor. I

While, I preferto rotate the weight against a surface as described, to limit its orbit, I do not wish-to be limited to a structure involving such action. A weight may be arranged substantially as shown in Fig.

6, in which the weight 32 may be free to assume a substantially horizontal position as indicated in dotted lines when driven at maximum speed. The shaft 16 then becomes the orbit limiting factor. The weight being loose upon the shaft and the latter being free to rotate upon its own axis, the two will set up a rotation in opposite directions when the speed is such as to cause the shaft to swing in a path oblique to the axis of the motor shaft. This dual rotation is also true of the frame shown in Figs. 3

In Fig. 7, I have indicated a still further modification in which the motor shaft 8 is provided with slotted arms 10 like those shown in Fig. 2, but instead of allowing the weight '13 to roll upon the inner periphery of the casing, to limit its orbit, the shaft 33, which is loosely projected through a bore in said weight, has its ends arranged to bear against rings 34, only one of which is shown, attached to the upper and lower ends respectively of the casing. In such a con-- struction the shaft 33 will be caused to rotate in one direction upon the inner pe- 110 while the weight,

riphery of the rings, owing to the influence of centrifugal motion,

will be caused to rotate in an opposite direction.

I have greatly improved when freedom of rotation is given alike to both weight and shaft independently of each other. Neither should be restrained from following its normal tendency to rotate, as to relieve the motor shaft from lateral stress.

I do not wish to be limited to. any specific rod 30, ex- 80 found in practice that results are 18.

and that in such a way form of motor or construction provided weight mounted upon a support separate from the shaft, said weight being arranged to be moved in an orbit concentric with the axis of said shaft, means connected with said shaft for moving said weight in its orbit while relieving saidshaft from lateral stress, and means for limiting the extent of said orbit.

2. An agitator, comprising, in combination, a. suspended structure, a motor having a driving-shaft, a weight arranged to be moved in an orbit concentric with the axis of said shaft, means in connection with said shaft for actuating said weight to impart a centrifugal motion thereto, at high speed to agitate the entire structure and means independent of said shaft for controlling the orbit of said weight.

3. An agitator, comprising in combination, a movably supported gyratory structure, a motor having a driving shaft,'a weight, means for freely supporting said weight in position to be moved in an'orbit concentric with the axis of said shaft, means attached to and extending laterally fromsaid shaft for imparting motion to said weight in its orbit of movement without restricting the centrifugal path of said weight and means for limiting the diameter of said orbit.

4. An agitator, comprising, in combination, a suspended structure, a motor having a driving-shaft, a Weight supported for movement in an orbit concentric with the axis of said shaft, circular means concentric with the axis of said shaft for limiting the eccentric path of said weight by permitting the latter to have a rolling contact therewith and means in connection with said shaft for actuating said weight in its orbit while relieving said shaft from lateral stress.

An agitator, comprising in combination, a movably supported gyratory structure, a motor having a shaft, a weight suspended independently of said shaft but in axial alinement therewith, means in operative connection vith said shaft for imparting centrifugal motion to said weight without restricting its eccentric path and means for controlling said path.

3. An agitator, yielding means for movably supporting the same, a motor provided with a shaft mounted in hearings in said frame, a suspended weight having its point of suspension in axial alinement with said shaft but independent thereof, means in operative connection with said shaft for' imparting a centrifugal movement to said weight while avoiding lateral stress upon said shaft and means for limiting the eccentric movement of said weight.

7. The combination with a movably supported member to be agitated, of a motor having a driving-shaft, the axis of which is coincident with that of the support of said member, a weight suspended independently of said shaft, said weight having its point of suspension substantially coincident with the axis of said shaft to permit said weight to swing centrifugally, means for limiting the centrifugal movement of said weight, and means in operative connection with said motor shaft for causing said weight to freely swing w th its point of suspension as an axial center.

8. An agitator, comprising, in combination, a suspended frame, a motor having a shaft, a weight independently suspended in axial alinement with said shaft, means in operative connection with said shaft for moving said weight in its orbit without restricting its eccentric path and circular limiting means concentric with the axis of said shaft to limit the orbit of said Weight by a rolling contact therewith.

9. An agitator, comprising, in combination, a suspended frame, a motor having a driving-shaft, a weight, means for independently supporting said weight to be moved in an orbit concentric with the axis of said shaft, said weight being circular in cross section and mounted to rotate upon its axial support independently of its orbital movement, means for limiting said orbital movement, and means attached to said shaft for imparting motion to said weight in its orbit without restricting the extent of its eccentric movement.

10. An agitator, comprising in combination, a movably supported frame, a motor having a driving-shaft, a weight circular in cross-section, a separate supporting shaft therefor concentrically journaled therein, means for supporting said shaft while permitting it to rotate, means for limiting the orbital movement of said weight, and means connected with the, driving-shaft of said motor for moving said weight in an orbit concentric with the axis of said drivingshaft without imparting lateral stress to said driving-shaft.

11. An agitator, comprising, in combination, a suspended frame, a motor having a driving-shaft, a weight circular in crosssection, a supporting shaft therefor concentrically journaled in said weight, means for supporting said shaft while permitting it to lllla g messes rotate, means connected with the drivingspecification in the 'bresenc'e of two subshaft of said motor for cousing'the movescribing witnesses, this 226. day of Decem- 10 merlilt if said wieighg in an orlflitfconceantric ber, 1916. Y wit t e axis 0 sai riving-s a t, an circola-r restricting means concentric with said A WILLIAM LINDSAY axis, for positivelyrestric'ting the orbit of Witnesses: said weight. DAvm H. Fm'romm,

3 In testimony whereof, I have signed this I JENNm L; F sm. 

